Andy7oaks

Here's a recap of the test for people who do not or cannot read Autocar due to locality etc.

Lexus IS-F

Subjective :-

Likes: Engine Note, Chassis balance, Strong Brakes, High Spec, Penchant for oversteer
Dislikes: Lack of proper LSD, Hesitent Gearbox, Flat seats, Fidgety ride.

More subjective impressions:-

Performance:- gearbox shuffles a lot to make most use of the 8 gears, engine note less aggressive than AMG and more contrived than M3 at high revs. Brakes good.

Handling and ride:- harsh patter at low speeds, chassis balance good with crisp turn in, extremely controllable oversteer handling, electronic LSD has not got smooth transitions though.

Styling and Interior:- Mark Levinson audio is superb though centre console finish excellent, interior does not feel special like C63 and M3, contrived exhaust

Summary "The IS-F is a credible effort for a company whose stock in trade is luxury and refinement, and there is much that Lexus has absolutely nailed. The V8 powperplant stands comparison to any of it's rivals and the overal balance of the chassis is wonderful. Those are the basics and they are spot on. In the end, then, it's the details that set the Mercedes C63 and BMW M3 apart from the IS-F. But they are the details that separate excellence from mere competence....Lexus has done well but can do better"

Objective test results

Dry Circuit

Lexus IS-F = 1min 16.9s
Mercedes C63 = 1 min 15.8s

Wet Circuit

Lexus IS-F = 1min 8.0s
Mercedes C63 = 1 min 11.5s

0-62mph

Lexus IS-F = 5.2s
Merc C63 = 4.4s

0-100mph

Lexus IS-F = 12.3s
Merc C63 = 9.7s

0-150mph

Lexus IS-F = 29.3s
Merc C63 = 22.9s


Regards

Andy

PS They also tested Alpina B5 S against E63 so quite a good issue. The B5 S is incredible.

TopGun32

something is wrong with those times..

0 to 100 and 150.

either the recent mag test got a pumped up IS-F

or this one was really weak.

The ISF numbers are all over the place.

MiamiAMG

Performance aside, i just can't get over those exhaust tips.

MercedesFTW

I just test drove one today. Dark Grey metallic, great color, matching a great car. I never thought I would say it, but this is one mean Lexus. It's got some trick intake or something that has the exhaust sounding like someone opened the flood gates to hell past 4000rpm. Tight steering along with a ride that is rougher than my C55. I like the silver carbon fiber on the inside, everything looks nice, but it's got that...Lexus feel to it. Seats are nice and comfy (I'm 6' at 160 lbs). It pulls noticeably harder than the C55.

Great car, but now I have to try out the C63 and M3!

Anyone in the area that wants one, go find Jacque at Woodfield Lexus!

TopGun32

dual state intake..

my 3.2L CL-Type S had same mechanism... it felt like a small supercharger once it hit 3.5K rpms.

still to date.. one of the best engine sounds I have heard on a v6. (not v8 or inline 6)

power-fade

Saw one today and it needs a re-design. Somewhat hideous.

2009c63soon

Just can't get over those exhaust tips. Double stacked doesn't look good at all, but then to discover that only 2 of the 4 actually function!!!!?

I'm sure they'll get better but this one doesn't cut it for me. If someone buys one though, it might lower the average age of a Lexus consumer from 61 to maybe 60 and 364 days? And yes, 2/3 of Lexus owners are retired. They make a great quality car but let's face it, styling and character have never been Lexus traits.

For me, this remains a battle of 3, C63, M3 and the upcoming RS4/RS5 - I'll just take the C63 and drive quietly (?!) off with a smile on my face, part from the C63 exhaust and part from still laughing at whoever is willing to pay ~$60,000 for a "hot rod" with 2 fake exhaust tips.

houstonT

I posted in another thread and would like to post here as well. If there is ANYONE in Houston with a C63 that would like to get together and run against an IS-F I would be happy to meet up. I'm SURE the C63 will pull as it's simply a more powerful and more torquey car, but the comparison should be fun. I have a drift box and have tested 0-60 and 0-100 on multiple occasions. The IS-F is a 4.5-4.7 0-60 and 10.5-11.2 0-100 car. This is in the REAL WORLD on REAL WORLD streets. I was in the market for either an M3, IS-F or C63 and at the END of the day the deciding factor for me on the IS-F was fit/finish and most importantly quality... Anyone in Houston???
Peter

farouk2000

i dnt think the F is a bad car atall, and is defintely worth a lkook if reliability and comfort are major issues, as the C63 seems 2 b a harsher ride....